Trump orders DOJ to target Soros-funded group as prosecutors eye indictments for Comey and Letitia James
Directive to probe Open Society Foundations coincides with reports that indictments against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James are near
A directive from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche instructs at least six U.S. attorney offices to investigate the Open Society Foundations, the Soros-funded grant maker, according to The New York Times. The instruction arrives as prosecutors are reportedly weighing charges against prominent political targets, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The directive was sent to U.S. attorney offices in California, New York, Washington, D.C., Illinois (Chicago), Michigan (Detroit) and Maryland. It outlines a broad menu of potential charges, including racketeering, arson, wire fraud and material support for terrorism, and it asks investigators to gather evidence that could support such theories. The document describes a wide information-gathering effort and signals prosecutors could pursue expansive theories if warranted by the facts.
News of the directive comes as multiple outlets report that indictments are imminent for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The New York Times cited the directive and described the offices as being asked to consider a broad set of charges against Open Society Foundations; other outlets noted the timing of potential prosecutions but did not provide identical detail on the scope of the investigations. The precise status, scope and targets of any prosecutions remain unresolved publicly.
Open Society Foundations is a network of grant-making organizations funded by billionaire George Soros. The group has long been a focal point of political debate and criticism from some conservatives and GOP-aligned figures. Advocates say the foundations support civil society and democratic governance, while critics argue they influence policy and politics.
Officials with the Justice Department have not publicly commented on the directive, and representatives for the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Legal experts noted that a directive to pursue broad charges in politically sensitive investigations would be unusual in its breadth and would likely provoke scrutiny over the department’s handling of such cases.
The development is unfolding in a climate of heightened political tension as federal investigations into political figures and allied entities remain a subject of intense public and media focus. Observers cautioned that the presence of a directive does not guarantee indictments, and that prosecutors must base charges on evidence that meets legal standards in court.
This is a breaking story, with officials and outlets continuing to track any new information. The reporting timeline indicates the directive was circulated in the aftermath of reports about possible indictments, and updates will follow as more details become available.